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Friday, November 30, 2012

After the utter disappointment that was last months box I had decided to unsubscribe to Lust Have It but ended up totally forgetting to and before I knew it another delivery had landed on my doorstep.

I'm thinking I might as well see out the year with them now and then make a decision as to whether to keep up with my subscrition or not.

Anyway, on with what was in the November box (or bag as the case may be again):

1) ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend Mascara (Full size, RRP $28) - Apparently this mascara hasn't hit the shops yet so that is a little exciting. This has got ModelCo's signature mirror built into the side of the tube so it is great for touch-ups on the go.

2) Evodia Roll-On Fragrance (Full size, RRP $12.95) - I was so excited when I realised one of these was in the bag as I have heard such good things but then got majorly disappointed when I realised what scent I received. I got the Coconut & Lime one which I'm not even going to open as anything that is fake coconut scented is almost guaranteed to be an instant migraine trigger. I'll probably end up gifting this to a friend.

3) GKMBJ One Minute Hair Treatment (30gm sample, RRP $26.50 for 200ml) - This is definitely something that interests me; a treatment that only takes one minute! I love hair masks and treatments but hate having to put it in my hair then get out of the shower and wait for 15-20 minutes, then get all wet again to rinse it off. If I can do this while showering and it only takes 1 minute, then I'm a happy girl!

4) Aviva Inspires Skin Glow Light Tan Extender (30ml sample, RRP $30 for 232ml) - I think this is like a gradual tanner that you apply for a few days straight to build up a tan, or you can use it over the top of a normal self-tanner to prolong its life. I prefer gradual tanners as they are easier to use on my pale skin so I'm interested to see how this one works.

Overall, the contents this month were a big improvement on last month and if it wasn't for not being able to stand anything that is coconut scented then I would have been extremely happy with everything this month.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

I was lucky enough to receive this primer to try as part of the Beauty Heaven trial team and couldn't wait to start using it.

What the product claims:'Dr. LeWinn’s Skin Perfect Anti-ageing Primer is for instantly silky and smooth skin. The anti-ageing primer allows make-up to glide over skin and prepares the complexion for a long lasting base. Its lightweight formula contains Evermat™ technology to visibly reduce the appearance of pores and absorb excess oils, without over-drying. Skin is left clear, glowing and hydrated.'

This primer comes in a heavy frosted glass bottle which seems kind of luxurious to me. It has a pump dispenser that gives just the right amount of primer to cover the entire face in one go.

It goes on like a nice light moisturiser and has a scent that isn't too overpowering which I think is great.

It sinks in super fast and makes my skin feel lovely and smooth prior to foundation application. Once it's sunk in my foundation applies like a dream and my skin looks almost flawless as the majority of my fine lines seem to just disappear.

This primer has become my go-to primer lately as it's just so lovely to use. I can't comment on the anti-ageing claims though as I haven't really noticed any long lasting differences in the way my skin looks in that department. It does seem to smooth out my fine lines when applied and stops my foundation from sinking into them too which is a bonus.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

I received my November Bellabox yesterday and have to say that yet again I have been impressed by what was in my box.

The contents this month were as follows:

1) Bioderma Sebium H2O Cleansing Water (20ml sample, RRP $29.95 for 250ml) - Out of everything this was probably the product I was the least impressed with as I just don't see how great this water is like the majority of people do.

3) Swisse Hand Cream (30ml sample, RRP $14.95 for 100ml) - Hand creams are always welcome in my house as I have one in almost every room plus my handbag and my desk at work! For some reason I haven't been inundated with hand creams in my monthly boxes like some others have so I am always happy when I get one.

4) Palmolive Luscious Mango Body Wash (50ml sample, RRP $6.49 for 400ml) - This smells delicious and will be great for when travelling due to the cute size. It's not something that I would consider 'luxury' for a monthly sample box though. It will certainly get used regardless.

5) David Jones Radiant Moisture Day Cream (30ml sample, RRP $24.95 for 14gm) - I seem to have way too many day creams now that I have to try and use so this will just go onto the pile. It has a lovely citrus smell so would be a nice cream to use in the warmer months.

6) B by Bloom Col.lecta Colour Cheek Tint (Full size, RRP 19.95) - I was really excited about this until I opened it and discovered the colour. It's a shimmery brown kind of shade that doesn't really show up on my skin very much except as a subtle highlighter. It might end up being something I keep in my handbag for subtle touch-ups I think.

7) Rose-Hip Vital Rosehip Oil (30ml, RRP $19.95) - This was the best product in the box for me this month. Rosehip oil works wonders for my eczema when it flares up so I'm going to get some very good use out of this little gem. This one kind of has a bit of a weird smell though which is a little bit like hot sesame seed oil but that doesn't worry me too much.

So, overall I was very impressed with what they managed to fit into the box this month. I still think that Bellabox is the star performer every month and will definitely get use of everything that I received this month.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I'm a really big fan of these polishes as they have a really nice consistency that is easy to apply, are opaque in two coats, dry reasonably fast and have a lovely shine all on their own without needing a topcoat.

I had been wearing this shade on my toes for ages before remembering that I hadn't actually posted about it before. Miami Coral is a lovely coral red that is great for the warmer weather we are finally starting to have now.

On my ring finger I have applied two coats of Ozotic's glitter polish in No. 530 just for something a little different.

These are such cheap polishes (around $2 I think!) and are sold in most Rubi Shoes stores. For the price they are super value for money. The only thing that might put anyone off is the strong chemical smell the polish can have when first applied. This does go away pretty quickly once it dries though.

I was very excited to receive these to trial as part of the Beauty Heaven trial team as I'd seen a lot of advertisements about the brand and seriously, who wouldn't want their hair to look as silky and gorgeous as Miranda Kerr's?

I received the Damage & Colour Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to try and I must say that I was really pleased with how each one worked.

Nourishing Shampoo:
This shampoo has a really nice, light scent and is easy to distribute and lather into the hair. It rinses out nicely leaving no residue and doesn't make my hair feel like straw like some shampoos have a tendency to do because of it being quite fine and also curly.The bottle is nice to hold and there is a flip top lid where the shampoo is squeezed out in a typical fashion.

Nourishing Daily Conditioner:
This is a lovely lightly scented conditioner which is easy to distribute and massage through the hair and leaves it feeling soft and silky once rinsed out. The packaging is easy to use as it's got the same type of lid as the shampoo.

I can sometimes suffer from a sensitive scalp which can get a bit itchy and irritated if I use a shampoo and conditioner that doesn't agree with me but I haven't had any problems at all when using the Clear shampoo or conditioner range.

My hair has actually been more manageable since using it regularly and doesn't bust out in it's usual frizz-fest when dry anymore.

For the ridiculously cheap price this range is and the fact that it's available in most supermarkets I'd definitely recommend it as a great budget brand to try. The slimline 200ml bottles are a great size to take away as well and don't take up as much room as other shampoo and conditioner bottles can.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Yesterday I participated in a Gingerbread House making class with a couple of friends that a local community organisation in my area runs every year before Christmas.

I'd seriously been looking forward to this class all year after seeing the creation that my friend did last year when she went.

Here is what I managed to pull together in just over an hour and a half:

The class is only $30 and you get the pre-cut gingerbread pieces supplied plus a bag full of icing as well as a container completely full of every lolly imaginable to let your creative side run wild. They even sprinkle the whole thing with icing sugar when you're done which makes it just look awesome and then wrap it up all nice and pretty.

I haven't had so much fun in ages and I was really surprised at how easy it is to actually create something like this. I can't wait to do it again next year.

I have no idea what I'll do with this one now though. I don't eat gingerbread so it may be up to my husband and toddler to polish it off I think as I'm not too sure it will stay very fresh if we wait to use it as a centrepiece on Christmas day.

What do you think? I must admit that I'm quite proud of my creation being that it's my first ever attempt.Michelle xx

Sunday, November 18, 2012

I purchased this lip gloss a few weeks ago from the Bellabox shop and have been pleasantly surprised with it so far.

This gloss comes in your typical glass tube with a doe-foot applicator. According to the Silk Oil of Morocco website, these lip glosses contain the following beneficial ingredients:

Certified Organic Argan Oil

Key active ingredient provides hydration to the skin and contains many vitamins and fatty acids that have amazing healing properties. In particular, Vitamin E and Lineoic Acids help protect the skin from oxidisation (aging), environmental pollution and harsh UV rays. It is non-greasy and light.

The shade Moroccan Sunrise is described as a Fuchsia with pinky gold undertones. I'd describe it more as a pinky-peach with quite a bit of shimmer.

Overall I like this gloss and the way it feels on my lips. The spearmint flavouring it quite refreshing and it's not a gloss that's too sticky or gloopy so it stays put on the lips for a good couple of hours.

Personally I would have preferred it to have been a bit more pigmented when applied but it's become a good gloss for me to slap on when I'm in a hurry and don't need to worry about precision. I've also found that it's lovely to apply over any of my pink or peach lipsticks to give them that little bit of extra shine.

Silk Oil of Morocco is Australian made and owned which I just love. It's always good to help support our great Aussie brands.

Friday, November 16, 2012

A couple of months ago I had a makeover at my local DJ's Napoleon Perdis counter and could not believe the magic the makeup assistant did using this cute little pot.

I must admit that I initially thought the girl was a bit insane when she first brought this out and opened the lid to show me what was inside. I mean, I'm quite pale skinned and this concealer is a bright peach kind of colour but she assured me that she wasn't crazy and that it was going to work just fine.

Which, of course, it did. I was blown away at how this peach toned concealer manages to just blend right into the skin without being noticeable at all and it didn't sink into any of my fine lines or end up budging hours after it was applied. I looked wide awake for the first time since my son was born!

Anyway, of course she won me over and I just had to buy some of this little wonder to see if I could replicate her handy work just as easily at home. Which I could!!

The secret to this concealer is the peachy/nude shade which seems to neutralise blue or purple under eye circles or any other redness from blemishes you might have on the skin. It's super creamy to use and scarily opaque when first applied. It does work better blended in with the fingers I found as it needs to be warmed up a little bit prior to use and I find that I don't seem to get the same results if I use a concealer brush to apply it instead.

Here are some before and after photos to show you how great this little product is:

(Before: Purple circles under the eyes, what I wouldn't do for a week of sleep.....)

(Applying The One Concealer in light dabs with a concealer brush. Look at how bright it is against my skin!)

(After a little bit of blending with my finger)

(Fully blended in)

(I look almost awake!)

I will admit that this is not a concealer to use if you are in a hurry as it does need a bit of blending to vanish into your skin but it's definitely worth the effort. I love using this concealer for days when I want to make a bit more effort or for nights out as it definitely works better under the eyes than most of the other concealers I have at home.

I also love the fact it doesn't sink into the fine lines around my eyes as some other concealers do. After I apply some setting powder it seems to float above my skin and lasts all day without caking.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Ok, so I usually pride myself on the fact that I have very good self restraint and very rarely go into lemming mode when I see products being talked about. I usually only fold if the product looks like something that I absolutely CANNOT live without, and this is my defence as to why I decided to purchase two Korres Lip Butters not so long ago.

The two that seemed to appeal to me the most were Wild Rose and Pomegranate so thanks to the wonderful world of online shopping I had these both in my hot little hands within the week of deciding I needed to have them in my collection.

These lip butters are extremely popular and I have since found out why. They taste absolutely yummy and leave such a pretty soft tint on the lips that lasts for a good couple of hours on me.

They also leave my lips feeling super soft once applied and this softness sticks around even after the colour has faded away.

(Left: Wild Rose, Right: Pomegranate)

My one gripe with these Lip Butters is the little white pot they come in. It has a very narrow opening which I dread trying to use if my nails ever decide to grow again like they used to. At the moment I tend to use my pinky to get the product out but I really think that if they came in a tube or lipbalm type dispenser they would be much more appealing.

There are a few other flavours in the range which I might also look into getting one day down the track.

Am I the last person on the planet to try these? I'd love to know if anyone else has had any lemming moments as well lately?Michelle xx

Monday, November 12, 2012

I purchased this polish a little while ago when Target was having a massive sale on some Bloom items. It looked so shiny and pretty but unfortunately is one of the most difficult polishes I have ever had to contend with.

First up, it's a very thick polish so it goes on quite streaky and is then hard to even out on the nail. It's almost thick enough that you could get away with applying only one coat but just not opaque enough for me so I decided to try applying two coats. Big mistake!! Two coats meant bubble city started to happen on my nails and then two hours later it was still not fully dry and kept smudging on everything I touched.

Now I'm a pretty seasoned veteran when it comes to applying nail polish so I know it can't be my technique. But, in the name of all things fair I will be trying it again to see if maybe I was just having a bad polish day.

It's such a shame too as it's a really gorgeous shade if it wasn't for how awful it is to apply!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

I received the Rich Skincare Ultra Hydrating Day Cream a little while ago to review and as a thank you I was given a 20% off code to purchase any other Rich Skincare items that I wanted to try. I decided to try the Advanced Peptide Night Cream in conjuction with the Day Cream and I have to say that I am very happy with my choice!

This night cream comes in a large pump dispenser that is sturdy and easy to use. The cream itself is a lovely white cream that is to me the perfect consistency. It absorbs into my skin really fast and makes it feel super soft and smooth. In the morning my skin feels a little like velvet which I just love.

Here's what the Rich Skincare website says about this cream:

'A rich restorative cream for intensive nightly repair. Formulated with Soy Proteins, Ceramides and Vitamin A to help stimulate collagen and elasticity, and restore the protective barrier function of the skin. Abundant in natural antioxidants for healing and balancing skin tone, and moisturising elements for essential hydration.'

Vitamin A promotes the enzyme activity in the skin. It thickens the epidermis and can regenerate skin prematurely aged by UV-radiation.

Kakadu Plum is a native Australian tree used extensively for its natural healing properties. It is known to have ten times the amount of Vitamin C found in other fruits, making it an excellent antioxidant.

Matrixyl® 3000 is one of the most proven anti-ageing peptide complexes used in skincare today. Studies have shown it effective in stimulating the skin to produce more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin.

All I can say is that this cream has done wonders for my skin and since using it in conjuction with the Day Cream and some Jojoba Oil every second day or so my skin has been in the best condition I have ever seen it in. I've had no dry patches, no super oily patches, no major breakouts and my face just looks brighter and more awake now.

If only I'd been able to use these products years ago!

Rich Skincare can be purchased from their website here.Has anyone else tried and loved this brand as much as me?Michelle xx

***This product was purchased with my own money using a discount voucher supplied as a Thank You for reviewing the Day Cream. This in no way affects my opinion on the product itself***

Thursday, November 8, 2012

So I did it! I joined the Mirenesse VIP club and as soon as I received my first voucher I was online faster than you can say 'Discount!'

I'm extremely happy with what I ordered and it only took three days to arrive with free postage. Win!

Here's what I got for my first VIP order:

1) Spring Racing Pack - This contained the Pore Perfect Cover Air Mousse Primer, the Crystal Colour Drops Hydrating Mineral Powders and the Viva Eternal Gloss in Show Girl. The mousse primer is unbelievable and I think it will become a favourite product of mine and the Mineral Powders is a very good competitor to my Napoleon Ultimate Contour Palette. The lip gloss is a really pretty pale pink with a hint of sparkle.

2) Lip Bomb in no. 9 - This is an amazing lip product that is kind of like a hybrid between a lipstick and a gloss. It seems to be very similar to an OCC Lip Tar in consistency and colour payoff and this one is a bright apricot/pink shade. My only gripe is that Mirenesse give these a number instead of a name. I prefer products to have names so you can relate to them better. Is that weird?

By purchasing the above products I was entitled to receive two freebies and from the selection they gave me I chose the Cheeky Blush in Russian Rose and a sample of the Eclipse Age Defence Daily Face & Neck Mineral Balm. The blush is so gorgeous and I don't want to ruin the pattern on it by using it! I've used the balm once so far and really like it. It also contains an SPF15 which is always a winner with me.

Overall I was super pleased with what I got in this order and am looking forward to trying it all out properly. Next month I think I might have a go at ordering some of their skin care products as I'm curious to see what they are like.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

I surprisingly had quite a few products that I reached for often during the month of October. Due to being so stressed and strapped for time I had a tendency to use pratically the same products every day which is unusual for me as I have a tendency to get bored when I do that.

Here is what I loved using during the month of October:

I was mainly sporting a more neutral 'no-fuss' face during October and the above items were all awesome products that didn't require much effort to use.

1) Eyeshadows - B Collection by Bloom in Sahara Desert and Almay Intense i-colour in Trio for Greens. The Bloom eyeshadow is a no brainer soft coppery brown that is excellent as an all over the lid colour on it's own but also looks great with a little green or purple added into the crease from the Almay palette on days when I could be bothered making a little more effort.

2) Mascara - Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes. I love the way this mascara make my lashes look a mile long but I don't love the black smudges that end up underneath my eyes at the end of the day after using it.

3) Eyeliner - Models Prefer Kohl Pencil in Matte Black. Such a simple eyeliner pencil but it works wonders. It goes on so smooth and easily with no pulling at all and doesn't budge all day or night. Another quality product from this great brand.

4) Primer - Dr Lewinn's Skin Perfect Anti-ageing Primer. I will be posting my review of this soon but needless to say I love it and use it every day. Thank you Beauty Heaven for allowing me to trial such an awesome product!

5) Foundation - Maybelline Fit Me Foundation. The main reason I love this foundation is because it suits my skin tone perfectly which means I can be a bit quicker with my application of it and don't have to be pedantic about blending it in within an inch of its life. It gives me good coverage as well without being too thick and stays in place all day.

6) Face - Napoleon Ultimate Contour Palette. I've reviewed this palette here and it hasn't left my bathroom vanity for over a month now. Totally in love with this product and how quick and easy it makes contouring and highlighting my face.

7) Concealer - Mirenesse Icon Sealer. I have grown to love using this as my undereye concealer as it covers my dark circles excellently and doesn't end up sinking into my fine lines as the day progresses. It's the perfect shade for my skin tone as well so takes minimal effort to blend in. Anything that saves me time in the mornings is a big plus for me!

8) Lips - MOR Lip Nectar in Lychee Flower and ELF Lip Shine in Candlelight. I have been a definite gloss girl during October as it's easier to maintain with minimal effort. The MOR lip nectar is one of the best lip glosses I have ever used and I am in love with the subtle pink flush it gives my lips and the way it seems to stay on for hours. The ELF gloss was a very happy surprise that I got in one of the monthly beauty packs and is such a great nude that goes with anything. It also stays on for a surprisingly long time too.

So that's my list of favourites for the past month. Nothing too exciting but they were products that definitely made the month a lot easier for me.

If you've done a favourites post I'd love to know about it!Michelle xx

Sunday, November 4, 2012

October was a bit of a mixed month for me. I kind of let myself go a little as I was super stressed to the max about my last CPA exam (which means I am now done people, DONE! As long as a pass that is....) and the fact that I picked up two new clients for my personal business which was great in one way but just very bad timing in another. Trying to do exam study around my regular part time job, minding our 20 month old and then trying to fit in my other work from home was a nightmare and I was not in a good place for most of the month.

Needless to say i am very grateful that the month of October is behind me now and look forward to getting back to living stress free again. That means more social time, more time with my little man and my hubby and more time to concentrate on this blog, Yay!

Anyway, enough rambling for one day. Here's what I managed to get through during the month of October:

1) Morrissey Body Balm - If there's one thing in my household that doesn't last long it's body moisturiser. This one had a lovely citrus scent and was a nice enough moisturiser but just not thick enough for my liking. It's probably a good summer moisturiser when you don't want anything too greasy or thick.

2) Kerastase Nectar Thermique - I've somehow manged to acquire a ridiculous amount of these sachets over the past year due to the monthly sample boxes and am very slowly getting through them all. This one was great to add to the ends of my hair after washing and seemed to stop a lot of my usual frizz from forming. I can't comment of how it works with heat styling as I haven't heat styled my hair in weeks!

3) A.S.A.P. Sheer Tint Moisturiser - This is another product that I have acquired a zillion samples of and am almost at the end of using them up. I really like this tinter moisturiser and the fact it has an SPF 15 in it as well.

4) Guinot Biological Peeling Radiance Gel - I received this as part of a sampler pack from Adore Beauty once and really have no idea what it's effect on my skin was. I think it's supposed to work as a gentle exfoliating gel but I didn't really notice any difference after use so definitely won't be looking at purchasing it again.

5) Dove Invisible Dry Roll-on - Dove make some of the best deodorants and this one was no exception. I loved the fact I could wear dark colours with this one and get no white marks at all.

6) Evo The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask - I loved this hair mask. It worked wonders for my hair and the smell is just divine. One thing I just don't get is why Evo use these absolutely awful sample containers that make it damn near impossible to get their product out. It's so frustrating!!

7) Marc Jacobs Lola Eau De Parfum sample - This is a lovely perfume that was one I liked to wear during the day for work as it's not too overpowering. I'm looking at possibly buying a full size of this one or the Oh Lola one as the bottles are just so pretty too!

8) Puretopia Hand Cream - Another product I seem to go through like there's not tomorrow is hand cream. I have one in almost every room of the house as well as all my bags. This one was a definite favourite and I'm a little disappointed that it's now finished but can't justify buying it again yet as I have too many others to get through first. It will be mine again one day though!

9) Biolage Smoothing Shampoo - I was not a fan of this shampoo at all. It made my scalp itch like crazy and will not be something I will try again.

10) Aum Gentle Facial Foam Cleanser - This was a nice gentle cleanser but I just didn't feel like my face was fully clean after use. It also had the weirdest consistency, kind of like runny snot or the white of an egg when it's not cooked enough. Just odd.

11) Garnier Miracle Skin Protector - I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this product. I love the way it goes on my skin and makes my face look almost flawless (on good skin days) without me needing to resort to foundation but I just can't stand the smell. It's just a scent that doesn't agree with me at all. If it came in an unscented version I'd buy a truck load!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Ok, so I know this is now November and I admit that I received this delivery a couple of weeks ago and was debating whether to even post about it all this time. The main reason for this delay is because I was just so utterley underwhelmed by this October box that I wasn't even interested in really sharing the contents of it.

Anyway, in the interest of consistency here is what I received in the October box:

2) Elizabeth Arden Red Door Aura EDT (5ml sample, RRP $70 for 50ml) - This is probably the best item in the box for me this month. It's a lovely fragrance that I really like. I've never been a huge fan of the original Red Door but I can easily see myself wearing this one.

3) Say It With Scent Lavender Hand & Body Lotion (30ml sample, RRP $26.80 for 200ml) - It's a nice enough lotion that will definitely get used. It's a good size for the handbag.

4) Star & Rose - Rose Confetti Soap (3 pack RRP $9.95) - These are such a lovely concept but just aren't practical at all in my opinion. The last large one of these I received several boxes back practically disolved into a puddle of mush after just sitting in my bathroom with the steam in there from the shower. These may become part of someone's Xmas gift this year I think.

5) Montaser Renitence Eye Revival Cream (5ml sample?, RRP from $59.95 for 15ml) - I love to try new eye creams but this one looks a bit like pea and ham soup so it certainly better work because it would never be purchased for how nice it looks!

Anyway, that's everything I received for the October box. All of it will get utilised in some form or another but nothing really had that exciting 'wow' factor this month. And as per many other occassions, there wasn't a makeup item in sight. Maybe it's the age group I'm in or something which is why I don't really get anything fun? Othe boxes I've seen at least had a nail polish which would have been welcomed.

I think this may be it for my Lust Have It journey. I have recently bit the bullet and subscribed to the Mirenesse VIP club after being swayed by reading about it over at Beauty in a Bottle. I'd been pondering whether to join up or not for months and decided that if I cancel Lust Have It I only need to add another $10 for the Mirenesse club and I know I love every one of their products I try so hopefully it will be win win.

What did you think of Lust Have It this month? Am I being too harsh? Has anyone else ever been a member of the Mirenesse VIP club?Michelle xx

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About Me

I'm a happily married Aussie mum who lives with a menagerie including a husband, a dog, two cats, a duck and some fish. I love all things beauty as well as reading, cooking, gardening and scrapbooking.